Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 97 — page 5: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

; — —— She said this so resolutely that he felt a new admiration for her. ‘¢ You are sure, then, that you could ride hard, if necessary ?’ ‘“Yes! DPve been with them often enough to learn that.” They rode slowly along, in many cases the road so narrow that they were obliged to go in single file, the moon riding high in the heavens, but casting wild, fantastic shadows over them, from the branches of trees, which hung so close and low they sometimes brushed against them. Speaking but seldom, and listening always in- tently, their animals stepping lightly on the turf, which was trodden so seldom as to be still grassy, ay had proceeded forward not quite an hour, when suddenly Peggy pressed forward to her companion’s side, whispering: ‘* Hark!” af They checked their horses, and distinctly heard the trot of two horses coming to- ward them at moderate speed. There was a bend in the road just ahead, and the sound being so muffled in grass, they guessed that the riders could not be far away. “Into the woods, quick!” whispered Caleb King; and turning his rein, he darted into the dark shadow of the forest, followed by the girl, who said, keeping up with him: ‘ Further— further in! Do you know I’m afraid my horse will neigh.” All her courage seemed to have forsaken her. The mere thought that these men, whom she so xe and naires per Pease a nese at hand, set er heart to itating frig y. . ‘“* Keep up your courage, that’s a good girl,” murmured Caleb. They made their way about a rod into the forest, when they checked their horses, and stood silent as death. The other travelers, who- ever they were, approached along the road, passed opposite, and were already beyond them, and they beginning to breathe more ry when the animal which Peggy rode, seeming recocnize his friends, gave a loud, prolonged neigh. Instantly the strange riders checked their course; our party could not see them ; but they caught the words, uttered with an oath: ‘That's my horse, Bill. What mischief is up, now?” ‘*‘ We'll soon see,” said the other, and together they dashed into the woods directly toward the concealed couple. ‘Now, my girl, follow me!” cried Caleb King; and wheeling, he dashed off among the trees and underbrush at a rate which might have proved dangerous, had not his horse been ssessed of almost human sagacity. As it was, hey miraculously escaped death among the branches and thickets which impeded their pro- gress, and came out upon the road a few rods above the point at which they had deserted it. Their pursuers followed them by the sound of crashing underbrush. The point at which they reappeared was more grassy and open than usunl, the forest circling off leaving an open space, which, as they rode over it, made them fair marks for the two men, who dashed after them, not three minutes behind. ‘Stop, or we'll fire!” they yelled. The flying couple knew too well that they would fire if they did stop; Caleb stroked his horse, urging it on with some familiar word which made it fairly bound over the ground, while looking back with anxious eye, he was glad to see that the girl kept up with him. Crack! crack!—two pistol-shots, which whis- tled around them, doing no injury. “They have rifles, too. On to the shadow of the wood,” cried Peggy. Another and louder shot—another! Caleb looked to see where the Se was; she was close beside him, unharmed, er gallant anfmal keeping up with his. ‘‘ Thank God, the shadows will distract their aim,” murmured Caleb, as they sprung for- ward where the path was again close in with woods. He did not attempt to guide his horse, leav- ing the choice of the way to him, and the noble fellow galloped as if he knew that he bore his master’s life in his paces. Peggy kept close be- - hind, and once she screamed; ' «Paster! I hear them coming—faster!” For a terrible half-hour it was all suspense. Then, as the girl had said, the previously worn condition of the pursuers’ horses began to tell on them, their speed flagged, they fell so far behind as to be neither seen nor heard. Still, they did not feel safe; the enemy might be making a detour, to dash out upon them, by some shorter path with which they were famj- liar. On—on-—they urged their steeds, until every muscle of the hardy animals was strained, and foam and sweat covered them. The Outlaw Brothers. ee if we keep on at this rate.” They drew rein, listening attentively. Noth- ing was to be heard except the panting of the horses; the moon shone brightly through a rift in the trees; all was quiet, solemn, and strange. ‘* You are a brave woman, Peggy, to keep up with me to-night.” He could see her blush and smile in the clear moonlight, pleased with his approval. The ride had shaken down her hair, which glistened and waved about her face. Really she was very pretty—more than pretty—handsome, spirited, equal to an emergency. t was a wild and curious adventure which had thrown this young woman upon his protec- tion, under such novel circumstances. He had a few moments’ time to think of it, before she spoke: ‘‘Oh, sir, let us not rest very long. I do not feel safe yet. Indeed, you do not know how bad they are, nor what they can do,” Her cheeks grew pale with the thought, and she glanced about her like a frightened deer. ‘‘ Well, Prince, are you ready to start?” said Caleb to his horse. “The young lady thinks we are not yet free from danger.’ His cheerful tone reassured her. She was al- most ready to laugh, as they nee proceeded on their singular journey, swiftly, but with less wild speed than before. Caleb had many things to consider during the long hours of their night-ride—the panrine of which was the safety of the girl he had taken under his wing. e well knew that pursuit would be long-continued, persevering, and conducted with the malignant skill and revengeful malice to be expected from such characters. Every acre of the State of Kentucky would be minutely searched, by night, by day, by unexpected methods; and a devilish ingenuity racked to track the fugitive to her concealment. Where, then, should he convey her? How conceal her until his business in the West was finished, and he could take her to the East, and place her un- der ‘te er protection? For this he had already to do. CHAPTER IV. BRUTUS AND HIS NEW CHARGE, Four days after the alventure of the last chapter, just as the family of a wealthy planter in Bourbon county were about retiring for the night, horses were heard riding up to the door, Sg which some one knocked with a whip. The good ‘‘ squire” himself, in his shirt-sleeves, opened the door, and peered out, light in hand, at the new-comers. “Hallo! King is that you? Glad to see you, Where’d you come from? And who in wonder have you got with you?” he added, sot/o voce. “THs me, no mistake, Squire Claiborne. resolve Can I put up with you to-nik ~ | and here I am. I’ve a little business to talk over.” ‘*T reckon you needn’t ask that question here, If my house wasn’t big enough for my friends, I'd have it made bigger, short order, I’m right glad to see you, too; I’ve been thinkin’ a good deal about that land operation, this season. Ho, Brutus! come and take the gentleman’s horses. Who’ve you got there, King—your sister, or your wife?” The squire might have been excused the look of curiosity he bent upon the bare-headed girl, in her linsey-woolsey frock, who, with down- cast eyes, sat upon a horse, beside the young man. ** She is a friend, squire, and that, I trust, will secure her a welcome among your women-folks, until I have time to tell you all about her. She has a history which will interest you.” “All right, my friend. She’s welcome; and I’m sure you needn’t keep out here to tell any stories. Come in,comein. Oh-h, Brutus! here, bo Ppa these horses away, and treat ’em well. ‘‘ Ah, Brutus, still as sublime as ever,” said the young gentleman, pleasantly, as a large, singular-looking negro came up, and. took the reins of the animals. He doffed his cap and smiled, showing him- self well pleased when he recognized the guest. ‘‘We’re glad tosee you back, Massa Caleb. T’ll ‘tend to dem hosses, sartain. claimed, as the light fell more plainly on the weary and panting animals, “ Aap looks like dey’d seen hard times,” . ’ “They have—they’ve passed throngb a trying ‘‘I think we may venture to rest,” said the | assist his companion to dismount, but she had young man, after what seemed an age, but was, | sprung to the ground, and was looking swiftly in reality, an hour. ‘‘ We shall kill our horses | about her as if she wished to face her position, | ordeal, Brutus,” said Caleb King, turning Wo | ’ ie) 5 eee | many recollections of her former life. T | promised you I'd come out West this summer, | rht? Why,” he ex- | yu | get no trace of the fugitives. 3 however doubtful it might be. ‘* Passed through a frying cordial, have they?’ repeated the servant, who, like all of his race, preferred high-sounding words. ‘‘That’s what the matter wid ’em, is it}—ob, ho! I don’ wonder dey looks bad.” ‘he squire ushered his guests into the hall, where his wife came out to meet them; and a hospitable bustle succeeded the previous quiet. They were taken into the kitchen to wash them- selves, where the cook soon placed a cold but substantial supper on the table, their hostess rightly guessing they would prefer this to the delay of a warm meal and the dining-room. Mrs. Claiborne was as kind-hearted as it was possible for a woman to be, which is saying a good deal, and was very motherly to the young girl; yet she could hardly conceal the curiosity she felt as to who she was, where she came from, and why she had no bonnet. Her curiosity was soon gratified. As soon as the guests had finished their meal, King asked a private interview with his friends, and the four adjourned to the ‘‘ keepin’-room,” where, with closed doors, and chairs drawn closely together, the whole story of the last four days was re- lated. The Claibornes listened with breathless interest, for the mere mention of the name of Harpe was enough to thrill them with mingled horror and curiosity. The girl bore, with a dignity which could hardly have been expected, the inquisitive looks which were bent upon her; her cheek was pale and her eyes heavy with fatigue, and yet a sort of gladness illuminated her countenance—like that which might the face of one rescued from some terrible danger. Every look, every word, betrayed how utterly she loathed. the companionship into which she. had been forced. It was fearful to think of the years through which she had passed—years which should have been the most joyous of her life, filled with innocent hopes, yet darkened by this shadow, turned to dread and misery by the knowledge which crept about her, like a ser- pent, of the character of those with whom she made her home. Now, as the four sat there, discussing her case,. she was asked many questions in regard to he statement she had made Caleb King, that she was not the daughter of these people, but had been stolen by them, when eight years of age. She answered according to the best of her abil- ity. ‘‘A fever,” she said, ‘‘ brought on, proba- bly, by fright and homesickness, and during which she was delirious for some time, had at- tacked her after she was stolen from her own parents; and when she recovered, her memory of the past was very much impaired. For a long time she recalled nothing—not even her had reeained lor one thing, sho remembered that her own mother used to call her Bella and Isabel, thongh by no effort could she recall her family name. “That woman names me Peggy, but won't you say Bella, when you speak to me?’ she asked, looking at good Mrs. Claiborne in such a way that her eyes filled with tears, ‘“Ves, yes, honey, you shall be called what you like, here.” From the few fragments to which the lost girl still clung, her new friends came to the conclusion that the Harpes, as many as eight years ago, were engaged in their present unlaw- ful pursuits, and that her parents had fallen victims to their murderous propensities. That these parents were probably educated people with money, perhaps living in some isolated Virginia country home—but what the purpose » of the murderers had been, in carrying off the child, could not be conjectured, It may have. been that the bright face of the little girl—which could not have been otherwise than pretty and attractive—had touched a fountain of mercy, and unsealed it, in the black depth of one or both their hearts, filling them with a fancy to. adopt her. Wretches, so isolated from human. | ity as they, have been known to exhibit some such incongruous glimpse of fecling. Caleb also gave a brief account of their four days’ flight—or, rather, four nights’ flight, for they had remained concealed in the houses of friendly settlers three of those days, keeping their horses strictly out of sight in some clump of underbrush, or little bush-hidden dell. so that if the Harpes came about the cabins, they would own name—but gradually she The last day, be- ing in a more thickly-populated country— though still wild enough—and on a road which King knew perfectly, they had ventured to ride by sunlight, keeping sharp watch all the time. eon .S (1 9)O)O)